Can Dogs Have Soy Milk

can dogs have soy milk
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Soy milk is good for people that are lactose intolerant.

Ever since I was a toddler, I hated normal milk and that hasn’t changed to date.

So, I prefer having milk alternatives to dairy-based milk as they do the job well. So, you can always find a carton of soy milk in my fridge.

For some reason, my dog wants to know about everything I put in my mouth and likes to beg me to share some with him!

However, pets and human foods don’t necessarily mix.

Some common foods in your fridge or pantry can be toxic to dogs and should be kept as far away from his reach as possible.

For example, some of the foods that are harmful to dogs are chocolate, grapes and caffeinated drinks among others.

So, where does soy milk stand on all of this?

In this article, I will answer the question, Can dogs have soy milk?” in detail and go through everything there is to know.

Let’s begin.

Soy Milk and Dogs: Is it Safe?

Soy milk is entirely free of lactose which makes it okay for dogs to consume. So, yes, dogs can have soy milk occasionally.

rottweiler dog

According to the  ASPCA, soy and soybean-based substitutes aren’t toxic to dogs. In fact, several commercial dog foods use soy-based ingredients.

However, keep in mind that soy milk is not a good replacement or substitute for puppy formula.

The problem that dogs face when they’re given regular dairy milk is that they aren’t able to digest it properly because of the lactose.

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Ideally, a dog shouldn’t have any problems with soy milk.

Soy milk contains isoflavones which are a type of protein. Phytoestrogens are also found in soy milk which are the female hormones in plants.

So, feeding your dog soy milk and protein in large amounts can have some problems.

However, limited quantities of soy are safe.

Some people believe that isoflavones do have several health benefits for your furry friend.

With humans, isoflavones lower the cholesterol and also reduce chances of getting estrogen-sensitive cancers.

There is some evidence that suggests soy protein can help in reducing urinary incontinence in dogs.

Veterinarians sometimes recommend supplements that contain isoflavones.             

Soybeans are healthy for your Furry Friend

You get soy milk by grinding and boiling the soybeans and filtering the particulates and fiber out to get a consistency similar to regular milk.

Soy milk is a good source of plant-based protein.

Soy is one of the handful plant-based sources that provide complete protein.

What this means is that soy protein has a good amount of all the nine essential amino acids which are the building blocks of protein and healthy for your furry friend.

Several commercial dog foods are known to include some soy in their ingredients as it is a healthier and cheaper source of protein as compared to animal protein.

Since soy is so widely used in pet foods, it is completely safe for your friend to have some soy milk.

Moving on…

How to Serve Soy Milk to Your Furry Friend

The only thing that you need to worry about when giving your dog some soy milk is dealing with an upset stomach.

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The first thing that you should do when giving your furry friend some soy milk is reading through the list of ingredients to make sure that the soy milk is free of excess sugars and dairy.

It is always a good idea to introduce a new food to your dog slowly to see how your furry friend reacts to it.

Start by giving your dog a small amount and see if he reacts well to it.

If all’s good, increase the quantity slowly so that the dog’s system gets used to it.

This will help you ensure that your dog isn’t allergic to any ingredients in the milk.

Summing Up: Can Dogs Have Soy Milk Without Any Problems?

Yes, soy milk if perfectly safe for dogs to have without having any major problems.

However, you should only give it to your dog in moderation for best results.

The thing is that milk isn’t a part of a dog’s natural diet and isn’t available to them in the wild.

This means that your dog’s system never developed to digest milk.

This is true for regular milk as well as soy milk.

Keep in mind that your dog gets all the essential nutrients he needs from his kibble and doesn’t need anything extra on the side.

Soy milk can be an occasional indulgence but, don’t give it to your dog on a regular basis.

It is always a good idea to introduce a new food to your dog slowly to see how your furry friend reacts to it. So start small and work your way up.

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I hope this article is helpful in answering the question, can dogs have soy milk.

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